United States gets favorable draw for 2023 FIBA World Cup - ESPN

Team USA got a favorable draw Saturday in the quest to recapture the FIBA World Cup, though they have a potential meeting with Giannis Antetokounmpo when they face Greece early in the event.

The draw for the 32-team tournament, which runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, was held in Manila on Saturday. The World Cup will be co-hosted by the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.

The Americans, who will be led by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr for the first time, will open Group C pool play in Manila against New Zealand on Aug. 26 before playing Greece on Aug. 28 and then Jordan on Aug. 30.

The 32-team draw for the FIBA World Cup that runs from Aug. 25 through Sept. 10.

Perhaps more important, the way the draw fell, the Americans have the potential to avoid facing defending champion Spain, Olympic silver medalist France or NBA-talent laden Canada until the semifinals.

«There's a peace of mind knowing who we're going to play,» USA Basketball executive director Grant Hill said. «We know Greece and we know Giannis.»

Antetokoumpo hasn't yet confirmed he will play for his national team but has made it clear it is a priority. The Milwaukee Bucks' stunning early exit from the playoffs could make it more possible.

Additionally, Team USA's top potential second round opponents are Lithuania, currently ranked eighth in the world, and Montenegro, currently ranked 18th. They avoided some of the other higher-ranked and dangerous opponents from Europe like Luka Doncic-led Slovenia and Nikola Jokic-led Serbia.

Unlike in the last World Cup in China where the U.S. had to travel thousands of miles across the country and ended up a disappointing seventh, the draw put the U.S. in same arena in Manila for every game.

France and Canada got the